Who is the ACC’s only returning 1000 yard rusher? It is Mark Walton of Miami, who had 1,117 yards on the ground for a nice 5.3 yards per rush. The versatile Walton also had 27 receptions, and scored 15 total TDs last year. He’s made just about every pre-season All-ACC team, and some feel he could rush for over 1500 yards this season.

2) Dedrick Mills, Georgia Tech

Dedrick Mills might be Georgia Tech’s most gifted RB since Jonathan Dwyer. He’s a battering ram of a RB, that ran or 771 yards last year, despite missing 4 games for various reasons. He’s only a sophomore, and if he can stay on the field, he’ll be a 1000 yard rusher. He’s a powerful runner that’s very difficult to bring down, and is a perfect B-Back in Paul Johnson’s triple option offense.

3) Travon McMillian, Virginia Tech

Two years ago, Travon McMillian was a 1000 yard rusher. Last year he dipped to 671 yards, but still averaged 4.6 yards a run with 10 touchdowns. McMillian has good speed, and in a fairly thin backfield he should again be the focus of the Hokies running game.

I’d be suprised if McMillian isn’t around that 1000 yard mark in 2017.

4) Cam Akers, Florida State

Do you now how rare it is for us more to rank a true freshman in any of our top 5 ACC position rankings? They better be a pretty special player to make these lists without any collegiate experience. That’s how highly I think of Florida State’s Cam Akers. Akers may not even be the everydown back at FSU. Jacques Patrick, the Noles leading returning runner, could be that guy.

Akers though comes to FSU, as the top ranked High School running back in the country and has drawn comparisons to former FSU star Dalvin Cook. Akers is that good, and I expect he’ll be one of the ACC’s freshman players of the year.

5) Qadree Ollison, Pittsburgh

With James Conner moving on the NFL, Qadree Ollison is set to re-establish himself as the Panther’s leading RB. If you remember just 2 years ago, Ollison was the ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year running for 1,121 yards. Last year behind Conner, Ollison only had 127 yards on the ground, but I think in 2017 he’ll put up numbers similar to his 2015 season. The 2015 version of Ollison is a top 5 ACC Running back.

Even with some healthy competition at RB, Ollison is due for a bounce back season. We know what he is capable of.